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Fall 2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Earth and Space Sciences, BA
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Department of Geosciences, College of Arts and Sciences
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Arts in Earth and Space Sciences
Chair: Brian Phillips
Office: 255 Earth and Space Sciences
Phone: (631) 632-8201
Minors of particular interest to students majoring in Geology and Earth and Space Sciences: Environmental Studies (ENS), Marine Sciences (MAR), Engineering minors
Earth and Space Sciences is a broadly based multidisciplinary field combining geology, astronomy, atmospheric science, and marine science administered by the Department of Geosciences (see Geology major for departmental information). The major in Earth and Space Sciences is a diversified program in the natural sciences and mathematics aimed at fostering a basic understanding of the earth and space sciences; it also includes concentrated study in any one of the natural sciences or mathematics or interdisciplinary studies in environmental geoscience. Intended for those seeking a science-related career, the program is flexible in that it is designed to meet the needs of students who desire a more diverse liberal arts and sciences background. The various programs prepare students to choose careers in teaching, law, environmental science, secondary education, or research in private industry and government.
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Requirements for the Major in Earth and Space Sciences (ESS)
The major in Earth and Space Sciences leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree. All courses offered for the major must be passed with a letter grade of C or higher. Completion of the major requires approximately 61-73 credits. Requirements for the Earth and Space Sciences Track
Introductory earth and space sciences courses
Upper-division earth and space sciences courses
At least four 300-400 level GEO, AST, or ATM courses (minimum of 3 credits each); at least one must include a laboratory. Courses with STAS designation are excluded. Introductory related science courses
Either A for students not choosing the physics concentration in Specific science concentration below or B for students choosing the physics concentration in Specific science concentration
Any two of the following groups
For students choosing the physics concentration
Specific science concentration
At least 12 credits in courses acceptable for one of the following concentrations: astronomy, atmospheric sciences, biology, chemistry, geology, marine sciences, mathematics, or physics. Students must obtain departmental approval of courses chosen to satisfy the specific science concentration. Upper-division writing and speaking requirement
Before graduation all students in the Earth and Space Sciences track must register for the 1-credit GEO 496 WRTD course along with a 300-400 level GEO course. Completion of the WRTD requirement requires that a 15 page paper written by the student receives a B or higher as determined by the instructor of the 300-400 level course. The SBC SPK requirement can be completed with GEO 497 with a grade of ‘S’. Requirements for the Earth Science Education Track
Introductory science courses
Elective Courses
At least 24 credits chosen in consultation with the program director. At least two of the courses must include a laboratory. Specific Science Concentration
At least 12 credits of the 24 elective credits must be chosen from one of the earth and space science disciplines: astronomy, atmospheric sciences or geosciences. Upper-division writing requirement
Before graduation all students in the Earth Science Education Track must register for the 1-credit GEO 496 WRTD course along with a 300-400 level GEO course. Completion of the WRTD requires that a 15 page paper written by the student receives a B or higher as determined by the instructor of the 300-400 level course. The SBC SPK requirement can be completed with GEO 497 with a grade of S. Earth Science Secondary Teacher Education Program
See the Education and Teacher Certification entry in the alphabetical listings of Approved Majors, Minors, and Programs. SBC Courses
This table illustrates major courses that can also be used to fulfill SBC requirements. (See Note 1 & Note 2) | SBC Category | Required Major Courses | Optional Major Courses (see Note 3) | | ARTS | | | | GLO | | | | HUM | | | | LANG (see Note 4) | | | | QPS | MAT 131, MAT 132 | AMS 102 | | SBS | | | | SNW | AST 101, GEO 103 | ATM 102, BIO 201, CHE 129, CHE 131, CHE 132, GEO 102, GEO 122, GEO 303, PHY 119, PHY 121, PHY 122, PHY 125, PHY 126, PHY 127, PHY 131, PHY 132, PHY 141, PHY 142 | | TECH | | GEO 366 | | USA | | | | WRT | | | | STAS | | AST 389, GEO 304, GEO 307, GEO 311, GEO 313 | | EXP+ | | AST 345, AST 444, AST 475, AST 487, ATM 387, ATM 444, ATM 488, GEO 305, GEO 444, GEO 475, GEO 476, GEO 487, GEO 488 | | HFA+ | | | | SBS+ | | | | STEM+ | ATM 205 | AMS 261, AMS 361, GEO 320, GEO 404, GEO 407, GEO 467, MAT 203, MAT 303 | | CER | | AST 389, ATM 397, GEO 497 | | DIV (see Note 5) | | | | ESI | GEO 496 | AST 443, ATM 320, GEO 330, GEO 487 | | SPK | | AST 443, AST 458, GEO 497 | | WRTD | GEO 496 | AST 459 | Note 1: Some course information may be subject to change. Please contact your major advisor for additional consultation. Note 2: For majors that require study in a related area or completion of a minor, visit the respective program’s “Major SBC Courses” page to view expanded SBC options. Note 3: Denotes any course in which students can choose from more than one option. These may include, but are not limited to, major electives, concentration/track/specialization courses, or calculus/physics/chemistry sequences. Note 4: CEAS majors, the Athletic Training major, the Respiratory Care major, and the Clinical Laboratory Sciences major are exempt from the LANG learning objective. Students enrolled in the major in Social Work are exempt from the LANG learning objective, but are required to enroll in and pass with a letter grade of C or higher the first semester of an elementary foreign language course numbered 111, or satisfy through alternate methods. Note 5: Students are responsible for completing the general education requirements published in the Bulletin that was current as of the first semester of matriculation (or rematriculation). The following student groups must satisfy the DIV learning objective as part of their degree requirements: - Freshmen who matriculate in the Fall of 2019 or later
- Transfer students who matriculate in the Spring of 2020 or later
- Students who rematriculate in the Fall of 2019 or later
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